Perth Breast Reconstruction Support Group Lunch
Herdsman Lake Tavern, Herdsman Parade Wembley, Saturday 30th August 12:30pm. This is the place to speak with other ladies who have done Breast Reconstruction to get all those tips to make recovery that little bit easier. We also have Simone Hall the 3D Nipple Tattooist who will be there with her temporary tattoos you can purchase to see what a huge difference they make to a breast mound. You may bring a female friend along for company.
IMPLANT OR AUTOLOGOUS FLAP
Hi ladies, I am hoping someone couold share with me what the implants are like as a reconstruction choice. I had a DIEP FLAP in May and unfortunately had many complications and after 5 operations in 12 days and 3 weeks in hospital, they couldn't save my right breast ðŸ˜so I now have an expander in there and I hate it!! IT hurts!! I have spoken with my PS to see what the plan is moving forward and he said we can try a TUG FLAP (tissue from my inner thigh) or implant. I really wanted my breast to be mine and not implants but I really dont know if I can go through this process of operations and recovery again (bit of PTSD I think!) and if I have any more scars I'm going to look like Mrs Frankenstein!! But I am worried about having one implant boob and one of my own tissue, will it look odd, will it feel odd etc etc. I am soked with my left breast, it looks great, feels soft, great size and shape, I couldnt be happier! If anyone has been in the same position as me, I'd love to chat, but I'd also like to know how people feel about their Implant choice.
Animation Deformity- Botox
Hi ladies, I have had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstructive surgery with implants under the pectoral muscle. I have developed breast animation deformity, with spasms and pain. I have read lots of medical articles that an option is to have Botox injected into the pec muscle to stop the spasms. I am wanting to know if anyone has had this treatment? And can recommend a specialist. I’m in Qld and having no luck trying to find a specialist who will do it. My plastic surgeon has recommended it but doesn’t know who would do it, and whether it would need to be done under ultrasound so to avoid puncturing the implants. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
OUT OF POCKET COST FOR DIEP.
I had reconstruction with implants in 2012. I have just found out my left implant has ruptured. I am in a private health fund and was looking at DIEP instead of implants again, but was told the cost is $20,000. I don;t know what I will get back from my health fund and Medicare. Anyone had it done private and can give me an idea on outer pocket expense. Can not wait to go on Public waiting list. Debbie
What are you supposed to do if you have been given the textured implants (linked to lymphoma)?
I have the Mentor Memorygel textured implants which are on the "voluntary recall" list in the US but I don't know what the advice is here in Australia. I had my reconstruction (after double mastectomy) in the public system in Sydney but I have not been contacted by the plastics team about the lymphoma risk. Does anyone else have textured implants and if so what are you doing, are you leaving them in or having them changed for the smooth ones or having no more implants? I have no idea what to do. I don't really like the idea of waiting to see what happens. Thanks!
Removal of synthetic medical mesh ?
I'm going to post this in general discussion and in the reconstruction group. I'm starting research to inform my pondering about whether to scrap my reconstruction process. I had a left mastectomy (12 cm tumour) and have a saline expander with synthetic mesh panel underneath. The mesh panel is becoming increasingly uncomfortable, sometimes painful. I wonder whether it has anything to do with radiation, which I finished about 10 wks ago. I never felt good about having a "foreign" implant, but wanted to make the effort to have a shape. At age 75, I'm not up for own-tissue reconstruction. I've read a couple of British literature searches about complications with mesh. I'm considering going flat. But I don't know how successfully the mesh can be removed. Anyone know anything about this?
(Article) A Few Words About Fake Breasts
Interesting read for all and especially relevant to those with or considering implants. https://granta.com/a-few-words-about-fake-breasts/?src=longreads&utm_source=Longreads+Newsletters&utm_campaign=e00959e579-Longreads_Top_5_August_24_2018&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2ad42066-e00959e579-241364725&mc_cid=e00959e579&mc_eid=f4c4893e99
Radiation with Implant
Hi. Just wondering is anyone has had radiation therapy with an implant in and what the experience was. I have heard that radiation can ruin the implant. I was diagnosed with BC in November - 3 largish tumours - The recommendation was to have chemotherapy first to try and shrink the tumours and then surgery. Chemo finished 4 weeks ago (no real affect on the tumours unfortunately) - Surgery with direct implant was 9 days ago Pathology result showed clear margins around all tumours but there is cancer in the sentinel nodes so back for more surgery next week for auxiliary node removal. Doctor said today that because there were multiple tumours I would definitely need radiation to the chest wall - My question is why did they say it was ok to go direct to implant when it appears now that radiation therapy is unavoidable and known before the surgery even happened. I am very worried
